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'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."
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Marsai Martin Is 20! Here Are Some Of Her Best Beauty Looks Over The Years
The greatest joy about indulging in our favorite television show is following the characters on their journey—seeing them as actors/actresses in beginning roles to stardom. Week after week, we can’t help but invite them into our living rooms for enjoyment. Whether we’re sitting down watching their antics or casually hearing their voice in the background, they naturally become characters in our everyday lives.
However, like life, each character must grow into the human they’re meant to be. And we, as viewers, have to come to terms with this.
One actress growing up in front of our eyes is Marsai Martin. At one point, she was a young girl who dominated our television screens and immediately stole our hearts through her role in Black-ish. Now, our princess-turned-queen is officially the big 2-0! Our girl is all grown up. In honor of her special day, we’ve come up with our favorite beauty looks from her throughout the years.
1.Fresh Faced Queen
Makeup where? Martin proves her face card never declines with this casual bare-faced selfie. Fresh box braids allow the actress to show off her healthy eyebrows and cute dimples!
2.Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.
The actress is dripped in diamonds while promoting her nail line Mari by Marsai. Although the nails are on point, can we also take a moment to appreciate this soft glam look? Martin is wearing latte makeup with a hint of old Hollywood vibes. Seriously, Marilyn Monroe would be proud.
3.'90s Kind of World
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Don't call it a throwback. During the 2022 BET Awards, Marsai rocked a mocha-colored lipgloss and 90s-style lip liner. The glam look was also tied together with a sweetheart cat-eye that made her side-eye game sharp. A golden bronzer followed to seal this makeup moment together.
4.The Blueprint
Body snatched and face beat, Marsai posed in a series of photos featuring her on a balcony wearing a blue form-fitting dress with hair and full glam to match. Sis isn't playing fair, we fear.
5.Smokey-Eyed Gaze
Arnold Turner/Getty Images for NAACP
Getting ready for a night on the town with the NAACP Awards, Martin sported a smokey eye. The navy blue base is outside of her typical neutral eye. And just when you think the glam stops there, BOOM! Insert lashes! Diva-style lashes lay across the actress’s eye, enhancing her smoky makeup and taking things to new heights.
6.New Hair Who Dis?
Hair truly brings a beautiful look together. Martin’s captivating red hair is a perfect example! We are obsessed with the way her deep red hair complements her neutral pink lip.
7.Hater Blockers
We have to give it up to this cool accessory. The glasses (pictured above in slide 2) are making this glam look out of this world. They cover the actress's entire face, leaving nothing to see but a girl's greatest beauty asset—a smile.
8.Just Peachy
If this sweet pic doesn’t warm your heart, we don’t know what else will. Martin gives us a light peachy moment when showing off her fresh cut. Sun-kissed blushes and a simple lip are the touches that make this selfie too sweet.
9.That Girl Always
Well, you know what they say: blondes have more fun! And this stands true with her latest look. Martin wore blonde boho braids, a red dress, and a beat face. Happy belated birthday to a true queen of glam.
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Featured image by Araya Doheny/Getty Images